So, very new snuffer here. I had snuffed before, but finally decided to buy some of my own. So far, I really like my Hedges L260, Sam Gawith Honey, and some Choco-mint stuff from snuff store. The Bespoke Real Coffee was VERY burny, and I’m trying to figure out why. What’s the best way to know what grind and moisture a snuff is? Reviews online? Comparison within one’s collection? Or can you eventually just tell by sight? Also, I rarely pinch. I usually use a spoon and snuff straight from spoon, or from the back of my hand. I think my hands sweat too much to pinch without making a smeary mess.
Bespokes tend to burn quite a bit. When I first got some of them it was too much for me. I put them a side for a while until I got more accustom to the burn. I think most who have commented on this will agree that the burn becomes part of the experience after while. On your moister and grind question, looking at the reviews on line will help you know it when you see it. I have also found that the same snuff can vary in the grind and moisture. Once you have tried quite a few you will know what you like best. Just keep snuffing and the knowledge will come.
Hello tln, first welcome to the forum. You will eventually be able to tell just by sight. As you get different snuffs & spend time with them you will be able to notice the difference in moisture & grinds between them. And as you gain experience with a wide variety, it will become ‘second nature’ to tell the breakdown of what your snuffing. Also for starters, reviews are a good way to start. Go check out snuffreviews.com & read the reviews of the snuffs you’ve tried & you’ll find out what that moisture & grind was. Generally but not always, the darker the snuff, the more moist it is. If you can take a big pinch in the finger chances are its a more moist coarse snuff.
Thanks for your advice and input. This forum has been hugely helpful to me.
Well you can determine grind and moisture at once you open the lid/tap some on your hand. Visually of course…
Moisture is usually correlated with grind. The coarse snuffs (gros) are moister than the mediums (demigros), which in turn are moister than the fine snuffs (fin). Colour is also an indication ranging from black/dark brown (gros) through to the light biscuit colour of fine dry snuffs. Some people would disagree, but very coarse and very fine snuffs are not, in my opinion, recommended to the tyro.
I think it may have something to do with coarser grinds holding moisture easier then finer grinds.
Snuff can dry out depending on the humidity of the air it is exposed to. It can be hydrated to preference using techniques described in other threads. The changes a particular snuff go through whilst drying out are noteworthy. So in addition to the tens of tobaccos and hundreds of flavors you have thousands of variations in snuff to take (good luck). The good news is that it is relatively easy to find a favorite and keep it within an enjoyable humidity range. Do check the review site and be sure to try out a few course grind snuffs. Those are usually better when moist but I don’t mind a pinch of dried out Princes from my little Chinese pendant.